Building & Investment (May - Jun 2016) (May - Jun 2016) | Page 32

News & Events R+T Asia 2016 break all records Covering 45,000 square metres, R+T Asia 2016 attracted 486 exhibitors and 27,088 visitors from 94 countries, with significant increase for international visitors. R+T ASIA 2016, held from March 22-24 in Shanghai, set new records for exhibitor and visitor attendance and exhibitor space this year. Attracting 27,088 visitors and 486 exhibitors, the show covered 45,000 square metres, an increase in floor space of 20% over 2015, with displays focused on interior and exterior sun protection systems, windows, doors, gates and roller shutters. “Our continued growth is solid proof that we are growing in the right direction,” said David Zhong, President of VNU Exhibitions Asia, the show organiser. “Our success comes from our exclusively B2B format and our matchmaking and educational initiatives that attract and connect high quality visitors and exhibitors.” High quality visitors The total number of visitors for this year showed an increase of 24% over 2015. The roller/shutter and sun protection industry was again the most strongly represented visitor group, followed by the door and gate industry. Almost 7,000 international visitors came from outside China as foreign visitors increased by almost 29% from 2015. Visitors traveled to Shanghai from 94 different countries, with significant increase for almost all countries. After China, the top countries were Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, India, USA, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Russia, Germany and Poland. The show’s new Hosted Buyer program assisted exhibitors in finding qualified buyers, accelerating the process of seizing new business opportunities. The program provided incentives that matched buyers primarily from North America, Australia, New Zealand and Belarus with exhibitors from China. show also attracted companies from other continents, such as European companies like Hörmann, Somfy, Nice and Forest. The show’s German Pavilion again showcased German companies that displayed their export and import opportunities. Exhibitor satisfaction with the quality of visitors was remarkably high, as the number of international decision-makers also increased over 2015. Almost 500 exhibitors In all, 486 exhibitors from 19 countries exhibited at R+T Asia 2016, a 12% increase over 2015. Many international companies are from Asia, such as Alkenz, Wintec Korea, Uni-Soleil or Dong Won Industry. The Focus on industry’s hot topics Themed “Better technologies, better life”, the show focused on smart technology and future technology trends in the industry while global experts and industry professionals discussed and shared insights 28 Building & Investment | www.b-i.biz on “Smart Home Brings the Future to Life,” and “Global Insights and Technologies” at the International Window and Door Summit. For the first time the show featured a Smart 2020 pavilion that showcase a Smart Home of the future. Produced with the non-profit ZigBee Alliance, the pavilion featured new global IoT standards and the latest technologies and products in home automation. The R+T team has already started preparation for the next edition of R+T Asia 2017, slated for March 21-23, 2017 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre that is expected to take up five halls and cover 50,000 square meters. Q